Who We Are:
At The Urban Electric Co., we make it our mission to recruit and retain highly skilled and passionate individuals. Because we have a genuine respect for the talents and story of every member of our team, our culture attracts a wide variety of personalities and backgrounds to compose an eclectic and fun atmosphere. Each of our company’s products is bench-made and hand-finished at our 180,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Charleston, which houses the talented engineers, sales and marketing professionals, designers, and craftsmen who make up our team. We pride ourselves on manufacturing processes that secure the growth and sustainability of artisanal craft for the future by using modern techniques that enhance and refine the hand-build approach as opposed to replacing it.
Starting apprentices begin at $20.00/hour!
We are looking for long-term employees that desire to join a stable, growing and unique local company. Often, we find individuals with a background or hobby in carpentry, cabinet making, woodworking, auto paint/body, culinary, HVAC, electrical wiring or manufacturing plant assembly have transferable skills that translate well into our manufacturing environment. Are you our next long-term team member? To learn more about what it means to be a Craftsman, check out this video: https://vimeo.com/1197830404/1385e62d3c?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci#t=0.
Some Benefits & Perks of Working at The Urban Electric Co.
- Our production team runs on first shift only. The production schedule runs Monday - Thursday (four 10-hour days); therefore, most weekends are 3-day weekends!
- Opportunity for very generous quarterly bonuses through the company PMB (Productivity Metric Bonus) program
- Medical & dental insurance with employer contributions
- 401(k) savings plan with employer match
- Paid parental leave for new moms and dads
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- A company-wide health & wellness initiative
- An on-site barista with complimentary drinks and snacks
- Robust training program with room for growth and merit-based advancement
Who You Are:
As an Apprentice with the UECo Production team, you will take the first step on your journey through our Employee Advancement Program! You will work with Senior and Master Craftsman to learn the trade and processes required for producing luxury metal lighting fixtures. You will train in a primary skill in either Production Prep, Craft Assembly, Finishing or the Final Assembly area. You enjoy working with your hands, seeing a job completed to high standards and on time, working well in a team environment, adapting well to change, and you are punctual.
A Day in the Life:
- Production Prep Tasks
- Work with skilled Craftsmen to learn the trade and processes required for performing meaningful preparatory work in the fabricating of metal lighting fixtures.
- Inspect incoming work for quality and completeness and create required documentation (INCs) in the event of a non-conformance.
- Perform preparatory steps related to Craft as well as fabricate components and sub-assemblies of standard and custom lighting fixtures as defined by supporting documentation at each station.
- Conduct preliminary preparation of metal surfaces for downstream customers.
- Perform preparatory steps related to finishing, wiring, and packing of lights as defined by supporting documentation at each station.
- Facilitate flow of material from process to process.
- Craftsman Assembly Tasks
- Solder and assemble copper and brass lighting fixtures to exacting standards
- Build metal fixtures according to print set specifications (square, symmetry, scale, etc.)
- Utilize various tools (scale, clamps, jigs, drill press, lathe, drill, band saw, etc.)
- Conduct preliminary preparation of metal surfaces for downstream customer
- Craftsman Finishing Tasks
- Utilize sanders, dremels, scratchpads, buffers, sandblasters, etc.) to prepare metal surfaces for appropriate finish
- Disassemble and Reassemble lighting fixture components
- Use dip tanks and appropriate process to achieve Oxidation, Polish or Distressed finish
- Apply standard and custom paint, lacquer and other coatings to lighting fixtures
- Ensure proper finish is applied to lighting fixture components per work orders
- Craftsman Final Assembly Tasks
- Cut and fit various types of glass to bench crafted lighting fixtures
- Physically wire and test lighting fixtures in accordance with product specifications and codes
- Pack and/or crate completed fixtures for world-wide shipment
- Knowledge of trade-specific tools relating to electrical, glass or wiring
What Will Set You Up For Success:
- A high school diploma or equivalent.
- You enjoy solving problems. You love taking on difficult challenges and finding solutions.
- You pay attention to the details. As far as you’re concerned, anything worth doing is worth doing right, every single time. You stay focused and nothing falls through the cracks on your watch.
- You’ve got fine motor skills and the ability to work with small parts.
- You can manage your time and prioritize to meet production deadlines.
- You’re a flexible team player, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
- You have technical aptitude and the ability to read and interpret shop drawings and blueprints.
- You have basic computer skills (e-mail, internet, and Microsoft Office).
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time
- Ability to lift 50 lbs.
Personal Protective Equipment Required:
- Half or Full-Face Mask - Employees will need to be clean shaven prior to being fit tested at orientation. A mustache that does not extend past the corners of your mouth is acceptable.
- Safety Glasses
- Latex Gloves
Work location for Craftsman Apprentices would be at one of our two locations:
- Cooper River Campus at 2120 Noisette Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29405
- Ashley River Campus at 4500 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
